News & Analysis
Mississippi judge orders Clarksdale newspaper to take down editorial
A state judge in Mississippi has ordered a newspaper in Clarksdale, Miss., to remove an editorial.
A president-centric nation was not part of the plan by the Founders
The use of executive orders to make law has increased rapidly in the last 50 years, and for various reasons.
The Supreme Court’s TikTok decision has created a loophole in the First Amendment
The U.S. government put forward a case that was basically a ruse, and the justices fell for it, banning a specific communicator for the first time.
In new Dylan biopic, his civil rights work is glossed over for other narratives
His music about the struggle for freedom became a powerful symbol of the times, especially in the South.
Danger lies ahead if news media lose protections from the Sullivan standard
Since 1964, defamation law has provided strong protections for ensuring a “profound national commitment” to debate on public issues.
Scholastic journalism programs continue to have a life-changing effect
Despite challenges over budgets and freedom of speech, high school journalism is thriving in Mississippi.
It’s time to re-evaluate the presidency of Jimmy Carter
Tony Pederson, managing fellow of the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, discusses the presidency of Jimmy Carter.
Curtis Wilkie remembers Jimmy Carter’s campaign and presidency
Former President Jimmy Carter died Sunday at the age of 100 after almost two years in hospice care. Curtis Wilkie, inaugural fellow at the Overby Center, covered Jimmy Carter’s 1976 presidential campaign against Gerald Ford from the beginning for the Boston Globe, and he was White House reporter during Carter’s four years as president. Charles Overby, chairman of the Overby Center, recently interviewed Wilkie.
In Western North Carolina, devastating floods have left only faith and hope for Christmas
Terry Mattingly of the Overby Center panel of experts reports that historic storms from Hurricane Helene have left North Carolina people without homes and still in desperate need of help.
The slog toward erasing bias: Long, complicated and incomplete
Charles Mitchell of the University of Mississippi and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts argues that the benefits of diversity initiatives can be significant.
Bluesky and X offer different visions of the marketplace of ideas
Jared Schroeder of the University of Missouri and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts makes the case that the migration to Bluesky is about the space in which we will engage in conversation.
AI and the problems with the black-box classroom
First Amendment scholar Jared Schroeder from the University of Missouri and a member of the Overby Center panel of experts writes that we’ve been concerned about students using AI for writing essays and getting test answers. We should be concerned about AI limiting knowledge and its effect on democratic society.
After the election, we all need to find our ‘better angels’
Tony Pederson, managing fellow of the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics, discusses the need for community post-election.
Evangelicals again likely to give overwhelming support to Trump
Terry Mattingly, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses evangelicals likely to have overwhelming support for former president Donald Trump.
Eliza Gaines: A Legacy in Journalism and Leadership
Eliza Gains, the publisher of WEHCO Media Inc., shares her insights on the future of journalism, the challenges facing the industry, and her vision for sustaining newspapers in the digital age.
New book on Jack Ruby offers insights into his life and events after JFK assassination
R.J. Morgan, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, reviews Danny Fingeroth’s new book, Jack Ruby: The Many Faces of Oswald’s Assassin.
GOP continues to make gains as Texas Hispanic voting bloc matures
Carlos Sanchez, a member of the Overby Center panel of experts, discusses the Hispanic voting bloc in Texas and the influence they have.
Author Ron Collins on Till: Confront injustice by shining a light on it
The tragic events of the murder of Emmett Till in 1955 and the farcical trial that followed were discussed in a program at the Overby Center for Southern Journalism and Politics on Oct. 9. Author Ronald Collins discussed his new book, “Tragedy on Trial: The Story of the Infamous Emmett Till Murder Trial.”
Marty Stuart and the pilgrim’s spot: Philadelphia, Mississippi
Country music icon Marty Stuart along with the Philadelphia Arts Council restored the Ellis Theater in Philadelphia, Miss., to establish the Marty Stuart’s Congress of Country Music.
Wild presidential elections and memories of 1968
Curtis Wilkie, the inaugural fellow of the Overby Center, discusses the presidential race in 1968 filled with political division and incidents of violence. He compares the race to this year's presidential race as well as offering details of the events that led to the Democratic presidential nomination of Vice President Hubert Humphrey.